Councilmember proposes new task force to protect pot shops targeted by thieves

From Lake City—to Lynnwood—Bellevue—and Tacoma, marijuana shops and dispensaries have been terrorized by violent armed robbers. Washington State has had more than 70 pot shop robberies in so far this year.

A young man was even killed in a recent Tacoma pot shop robbery.

Recently, dozens of pot shops have been the target of violent armed robberies and shootings.

“These are violent individuals," said Damien McDivitt owner of the Mary Mart which was recently robbed. "They are out to hurt people and take things from our community."

Now King County Council member Reagan Dunn is proposing a taskforce to find ways to protect these cash-heavy businesses.

The Marijuana Safety Taskforce would bring together the King County Sheriff’s Office, the King County Prosecutor’s Office, marijuana shop retailers and local community members.

“It’s not safe, it’s not safe for the workers, it’s not for the people who are using it. Whether you agree with marijuana or not, the businesses are there, and we have to protect them,” said Dunn.

Dunn wants to re-divert $4.6 million in marijuana revenue to ramp up emphasis patrols around King County pot shops.

A report would be due to back to Council by August 31, 2022, before consideration of the 2023-24 biennial budget.

He’s also looking at the possibility of local prosecutors around the area teaming up to ask the US Attorney to prosecute those crimes federally.

“If we start threatening federal time as opposed to the revolving door of justice we’ve seen here locally, lately, I think that will have a deterrent effect,” said Dunn.

Dunn’s task force proposal comes as the state Liquor and Cannabis Board is pushing to get lawmakers on Capitol Hill to move the “safe banking act” forward. The legislation would let cash-only businesses take credit cards.

Ever since Ocean Greens was ambushed by masked men with guns in hand, the owner has been calling for safe banking.

“There is no reason for us to not have banking, we are legit businesses, we employ a lot of workers that are part of our community, and we all want to feel safe. So, we want banking now,” said Greens.

The bill has passed the House nearly half a dozen times. And its currently being held up in the Senate.

Dunn’s legislation will be referred to the Law, Justice, Human, and Health Services Committee in the coming weeks.